As the iconic Swoosh celebrates its 30th anniversary this year! Nike’s gift to its fans has been its multitude of colorways from the Air Max 90 collection. This year on Nike’s Air Max Day, they officially announced all their upcoming drops. The drops include the Air Max 90’s Duck Camo series leading the way in sneaker news. With the anniversary, Nike took a total reconstruction of the AM90 design to draw it closer to the original design while reimagining the new kicks.

Background 

The Nike Air Max itself is already one of the brand’s most significant designs. Released in the ’90s — hence the “90” reference — this iconic sneaker was released second, after the original Nike Air Max 1. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the original Air Max 90 was designed in the famous “Infrared” colorway, which continued to be the basis on which various future releases were created. Apart from its silhouette and design, the Air Max 90 gained popularity for its improved flexibility and multi-port lacing system. In tandem with adventurous color schemes that Nike continues in this new AM90 sneaker launch. 

Inspiration

Inspired by OG colorways, the new sneaker release involves three color options in Duck Camo. The ‘Duck Camo’ is a friendly nod to the Japanese retailer Atmos collaboration that launched the AirMax 90 design in 2013. Atmos went on to release the popular “We Love Nike” pack as a follow-up.  

Two launches have already been released this year. The first being a flipped version of the atmos x Nike Air Max 90 “Duck Camo” in “Reverse Duck Camo” featuring an Infrared colorway, and the second being the “Green Duck Camo” iteration in Ghost Green, which was unveiled by Houston Rocket’s player Thabo Sefolosha. Last but not least is the now available third iteration in “Orange Camo” that takes a bold neon orange accent and dark orange camo color scheme. 

images by @innerdistortion

Design

The AM90 “Orange Camo” is not for the faint of color. It is an even bolder take on the previous two styles. Opting for a fluorescent orange color scheme, highlighted by black, white, beige, and dark orange camo. The color hi-vis Total Orange catches the eye as loud and vibrant, compared with the blending in the desert-like camo. The upper and outsole feature the bright orange, complemented by a beige and dark orange camo on the middle and top of the shoe, giving a different dimension to the sneaker design. 

The shock-absorbing Air Max cushioning unit is dark orange as well while being rounded out by a black mudguard, matching Swoosh, and heel tab. The white laces and white midsole contrast with the black plastic overlays, in addition to brightening up the full orange camouflage tongue, stamped with the Nike Air orange patch with black text. 

The midsole follows the camouflage print’s curved lines, imitating the fluidity and motion that this new sneaker will provide. The iconic ‘Nike Air’ heel logo and “Air Max” quarter logo can’t be missed. Mostly, because they are a fluorescent orange that continues to emphasize the boldness and brightness of the shoe. 

Whether you are wearing it for style or function, the Air Max 90 Duck Camo kicks are not meant to be hidden. They are designed to be seen. As the long-awaited Air Max Orange Duck Camo rounds out the trilogy of Air Max 90 Duck Camo series, its popularity makes it a good contender for a quick sellout. 

The “Orange Duck Camo” Air Max 90 launched on June 26, 2020, and is retailing for $140. You can find the new sneaker release on StockX. 

image by @rresell_